leak in bathtub drain line

[Dan]

Hi,

I have a top-floor condo and recently found out that the bathtub in our guest bathroom is leaking onto the ceiling of our downstairs neighbor's bathroom immediately below it (very noticeable drip).

I tried isolating the cause of the drip and found that it only happened when water runs down the drain.

This may be a silly question, but does anyone have any suggestions on what I could try from within my unit, without having to open the ceiling in my neighbors unit?

It seems to be a plunger style drain if that helps.

I'm pretty sure the condo complex's master policy would cover the work, but at the same time I love doing projects around the house and hope to have a go at it first.

Thanks in advance,

Dan

[hallerb]

Sorry you will have to do it all from below.

I take it you dumped a bucket of water down the tub drain, to check leak?

be sure to draw the bucket water from say the kitchen, so you know its the tub drain..

[Roger]

Likely the trap is leaking. Best looked at from the ceiling of the unit below you. If you think the leak is directly above where the stain is, you could just cut out a square foot of sheetrock around the dripping place, and see where the water is coming from. At that point you can decide if you wish to bring in the condo repair guy. Your condo agreement may also limit the work you can do.

[trader4]

"Likely the trap is leaking. Best looked at from the ceiling of the unit below you. If you think the leak is directly above where the stain is, you could just cut out a square foot of sheetrock around the dripping place, and see where the water is coming from. At that point you can decide if you wish to bring in the condo repair guy. Your condo agreement may also limit the work you can do. "

I do repairs that I can myself too. But in this case, if the condo will cover it, I would definitely go that route. And even if they didn't, I would probably call in a plumber, because if it continued to leak and/or damage occurred to property in the unit below from repairing or from the leak not getting fixed the first time, etc, you could have a claim against you.

[Bob]

I agree with trader. There's a definite liability problem, especially if you don't fix it right the first time.

[Dan]

That's right. I used a funnel to make sure it was just the drain I was testing and got the water from the kitchen.

Thank's for the advice, everyone. I'll contact the management company and let them arrange to have someone come out and take care of it.

I guess I could always finish the crown molding I've been putting off if I need something to do. =)